Denver Nuggets 2026 Offseason: Peyton Watson Traded, DeMar DeRozan Signed The Denver Nuggets traded Peyton Watson to Cleveland and signed DeMar DeRozan and Marvin Bagley III, reshaping their bench ahead of training camp. The Denver Nuggets are less than a week away from training camp, eager to start the 2026-27 season after a crushing first-round playoff exit last season. The Nuggets made no changes to their starting lineup, but their bench unit is significantly different following several offseason moves. Nuggets Trade Peyton Watson to CavaliersThe biggest storyline of Denver's offseason was Peyton Watson's restricted free agency. The 23-year-old wing had a breakout 2025-26 season, but the Nuggets ultimately agreed to a sign-and-trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sending Watson east in exchange for a first-round and second-round pick.Fans were upset with the move. Losing Watson because the franchise did not want to spend extra money was disappointing, but it felt necessary given their financial situation. Denver at least secured a valuable unprotected 2031 first-round pick. Losing Watson will hurt given his two-way versatility, but the front office must feel confident in its remaining roster.DeMar DeRozan Signs Veteran Minimum DealShortly after trading Watson, the Nuggets signed six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan. The 37-year-old wing is one of the greatest scorers in recent NBA memory. While at the tail end of his career, he can still make an impact.After losing Watson and Sixth Man of the Year finalist Tim Hardaway Jr., Denver needed a go-to bench scorer like DeRozan. The veteran has not come off the bench in 16 years, but in Denver he will embrace that role. If he blossoms as a bench scorer and playmaker, this is the Nuggets' best move of the offseason, especially on a veteran minimum contract.Marvin Bagley III Adds Frontcourt DepthAnother value deal was signing Marvin Bagley III to a veteran minimum contract. The 27-year-old big man has not lived up to the hype of being a second-overall pick, but he is reviving his career. Bagley III had a great 2025-26 season with the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks, and now the Nuggets will need him to have a similar impact.Bagley III might not be the defensive stopper some fans wanted, but he is an upgrade over Valanciunas. He can either be the backup center or play alongside Nikola Jokic at power forward. This was a solid move and the high-upside swing Denver needed for its second unit.Re-Signing Spencer Jones A Quietly Important MoveRe-signing Spencer Jones was also very important. Denver nearly lost Jones when the Oklahoma City Thunder offered the restricted free agent a two-year, $12 million deal, but the Nuggets matched the offer to bring him back.Last season, Jones started on a two-way contract but quickly cemented himself as a solid role player while filling in for an injured Aaron Gordon. The Nuggets could have afforded to lose him, especially with new guys like Alpha Diallo and Trevon Brazile to fill the gaps, but keeping him helps their depth concerns. A $6 million per year deal is a fair price for a valuable role player who plays defense and knocks down open three-pointers.Unfortunately, the Nuggets' offseason could have been better.